You Can Now Sleep In A Tiny House On Governors Island

Last year, Governors Island got a new attraction (which returned this year): a luxury campground, courtesy of Collective Retreats. The set-up is simple, with rustic-looking small (Journey) and large (Summit) tents dotting the waterfront grounds, all centered around a main "lodge" that offers a bar, dining area, and reading nook. Some Adirondack chairs are strewn about the lawn, facing the Manhattan skyline across the river. The elevated camping experience — offering the unique opportunity of sleeping over on the island during off-hours — features real beds, a little electric stove for warmth, and other amenities you won't find in a standard camping tent.

And now, there's a newer, more expensive option: the Outlook Shelters.

These just debuted, and Collective Retreats declare they are "the most luxurious offering" they've got. As of this weekend, they're open for business, and will remain so through October 31st, when Governors Island closes for the season. Here's the press release language they offered up:

The new transformational hotel room that creates a luxury indoor/outdoor experience in the most spectacular settings, offers over 400 square-feet of luxury guest offerings where indoor architecture seamlessly compliments outdoor grandeur with design-forward fully sheltered structures. The Outlook Shelters’ innovative design, with dual private landscaped decks, allows it to be placed front and center in the most spectacular settings in the U.S. The Nordic style structure evokes a mid-century modern design and is designed with black corrugated metal and Brazilian hardwood accents. The rooms will feature 10-foot ceilings, white-washed pine walls and a luxurious soaking tub, elevating the Collective Retreats experience beyond the comforts found in the Summit Tents.

That is 200-square-feet more than my actual apartment, and it also has two private decks (outfitted with Yeti coolers, Hay furniture and Pendleton blankets), which is two more decks than I have in my actual apartment.

You'll also get fancy bath products, a curated in-room library (a.k.a. bookshelf), and a private boat over to the Island from Pier 25 in Manhattan. And did you see that bathtub? Move over, "best bath in NYC."

So what's the catch? It's a very common catch: things cost money. And nice things costs more money. And this nice thing costs $595 and up. And expect it to be "and up"... currently, a random weeknight in September shows the following pricing: Journey Tent at $169/night, Summit Tent at $459/night, and Outlook Shelter at $699/night.

Can't spend most of your monthly rent on one night? For a little less, over in Rockaway, you can get a glamping experience for around $250/night.